Horror as boy, 7, tragically dies during birthday party after getting into difficulty in hotel swimming pool in Clare
A SEVEN-year old boy has died after getting into difficulty in a swimming pool at a hotel in south east county Clare.
Garda sources confirmed the boy was rushed by ambulance from the Leisure Centre at the Lakeside Hotel & Leisure Centre, which overlooks the picturesque towns of Ballina and Killaloe on Saturday afternoon.
It’s understood the boy, who hails from the nearby parish of Clonlara, had attended a birthday party at the hotel located 24km from Limerick.
The boy was rushed by ambulance to University Hospital Limerick where he was later pronounced dead.
In response to queries, a Garda spokesman said: “Gardaí and emergency services responded to an incident at a swimming pool on a premises in Killaloe, Co. Clare, shortly before 3pm on Saturday, April 20th, 2024.”
“A 7-year-old boy was transported from the scene to University Hospital Limerick, where he was later pronounced deceased.”
“The local coroner has been notified, and arrangements are being made for a post-mortem examination”.
It’s understood the boy was recovered from the water unconscious and efforts were desperately made to try and save his life at the poolside.
Garda sources said they were treating the boy’s death as a “tragic accident”, and that foul play was not suspected.
The pool at the hotel’s leisure centre was immediately closed.
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Local people expressed their condolences for the boy’s family.
One member of the community broke down in tears and offered: “God love them, it is every parent’s worst nightmare.”
The hotel could not be reached for comment.
This is the second tragic drowning to hit the country today as a Irishman sadly died on the Portuguese Algarve in front of his partner.
Beach tragedy
The 52-year-old got into difficulties at Inatel beach in the popular resort of Albufeira, next to the hotel complex that gives it its name.
The alarm was raised just before 1pm today local time.
Two Portuguese locals jumped into the sea to try to help but also got into difficulties. They were rescued alive by lifeguards but the Irish tourist couldn’t be saved.
Police said his partner, who was on the beach, was being supported by psychologists after the traumatic experience.
The dead man has not been named.
Eduardo Luis Pousadas Godinho, the head of the local Maritime Police and Captain of the Port of Portimao near Albufeira, confirmed his age and nationality.
'Difficulty with waves and currents'
He said: “The man was in the water and got into difficulties with the waves and currents.
“Two Portuguese nationals at the beach jumped into the water to help but also got into difficulties.
“Two lifeguards from the adjacent beach which is called Fisherman’s Beach were able to reach the area fast and assist the three swimmers.
“The two Portuguese nationals were rescued alive but the third man was showing no sign of life when he was brought out of the water.
CPR attempt
“The lifeguards performed CPR until firefighters and paramedics arrived and took over but they were unable to save him.
“Police psychologists established the victim’s partner was also on the beach and offered her expert support.”
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He added: “The sea has been particularly rough. We've issued a warning to sailors precisely because we've been in the middle of a strong swell since yesterday.
“And the recent storms have left the sandy beaches very bare, creating swamps and rocky bottoms that can surprise bathers, which we are warning about.”